Year End Wrap-Up & 2008 Goals

Another year has come and gone so I need to set some new goals as I have satisfied last years goals.

2008 Goals are:

1. Live to see 2009
2. Increase my energy level (start doing more cardio)
3. Spend more time with my family
4. Increase awareness about organ donation and defeat the stigma associated with lung cancer

Merry Christmas

Sure am glad to be home this Christmas.



I am putting batteries in every noise making toy made this year and is every Baby doll called Arial or the Bratz. I do realize that I am turning into my parents when I start looking forward to the children wearing themselves out on Christmas and taking a nap (so I can take a nap).

What a day, glad to be here.

FAQ's about BAC and Lung Transplant (patients point of view)

This is a living blog post that will be re-visited frequently as I remember new stuff to add, subtract, and other transplant/cancer hommies send me info.

Disclaimer: These are thoughts and suggestions provided by myself and others that have experienced cancer (i.e. BAC) and also undergone organ transplantation (i.e. lung transplant).


BAC (Lung Cancer) FAQ's:

1. BAC (Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma) suck!!!
2. BAC is a type of lung cancer often found in non-smokers
3. For many diagnosed with BAC there is no way of EVER knowing how the carcinoma developed, since it is often diagnosed at such a late stage. (for me I was diagnosed at stage 4)
4. When you are diagnosed with cancer or other life threatening conditions you need to study and read medical white papers so the highly lettered doctors don't try to talk over your head. An example of words they might use that are suggestive until you really understand the true medical meaning as it applies to your condition are stage 4, metastasized, spread... I was stage 4 b/c my BAC non-small cell cancer had spread or metastasized to both lungs, in this case you don't want it to spread but the spreading was okay b/c it was contained in my lungs and I had no lymph node involvement.
5. Chemo (chemotherapy) is overrated as far as making you deathly ill. Don't get me wrong it is unpleasant but you more than likely won't be vomiting bucks or be totally out of it. The new Chemo is often time targeted for your specific cancer type based on its protein signature which means it focus on a specific area of the body. You will also be given pre-meds before chemo starts to help with nausea, you will also be given plenty of snacks during your chemo infusion (mmm MMMM mmm snacks)
6. Keep hard candy on hand and suck on it when your IV is flushed with Saline and Heparin as they will leave a nasty taste in your mouth and the candy will of-set that taste.
7. If you can get a port inserted in your chest for chemo, and blood draws it will make life much simpler; your veins will start to get worn out from the chemo eventually and the port again will make life simpler.
8. Flush your port at least every three weeks or as the doctor orders.
9. Eat what you can the newer chemo does not really alter the taste of food contrary to popular opinion.
10. Stay active work-out, walk, swim, hit the whirl pool, and get a massage as these activities help push the chemo (Ratt poison) through your system and will help with the joint/muscle pain you are going to experience.
    

Transplant FAQ's:

1. TRANSPLANT IS NOT A CURE; you are trading a terminal condition for MANY other conditions that can be monitored through life style changes (i.e. exercise, diet) and medication.
2. Some conditions that one can expect with lung transplant are; diabetes, osteoporosis, weight fluctuation, muscle mass loss, mood swings, fatigue, various respiratory viruses..... BUT YOU ARE ALIVE keep that in mind.
3. Your children / or younger relatives will be your greatest inspiration to fight on and do well with the transplant but they can also put you in the hospital as they will unknowingly give you little presents (germs and bugs) they get from daycare.
4. YES, they transplant was painful the first two days hurt like *&^% *&^%; it helps to be in shape, work on your abs, back upper and lower, possibly learn some yoga or stretching before hand to concentrate on your posture, work on your legs too as the meds will quickly eat away your leg muscles.
5. Wear your mask and get T-shirts made up to answer the ignorant questions you will get from people wondering why you have on the mask.
6. It will probably take a good year to recover from the transplant.
7. I started back to work after 6 months but that might have been to soon b/c a week after going back to work I was back in the hospital for two weeks with CMV
8. Watch your sugar intake after transplant b/c the high doses of steroids will alter your blood chemistry and you will soon develop steroid induced diabetes.
9. The diabetic stomach shoots don't hurt remember all you have been through they are a piece of cake.
10. Get your port removed if it is accessed alot it could be a source of infection; it will be accessed alot b/c you will have blood drawn several times a week. Ask for a picc line so you don't have to get stuck so much.
11. While out of work recovering find something to do to stimulate your mind as you are not going to sleep much because the medicine won't allow it.
12. Check the $4 med list that Wal-mart has b/c some of the meds you will need can be purchased there rather than paying an arm and a leg at your local chain pharmacy.

More bullet points to come as I remeber more stuff to add (prednisone brain)

Dec. 15, 2007 SMU Graduation Pictures (School of Engineering)

seasons greetings

graduation links

Seasons Greetings to you all. I have finally finished my studies at SMU now what do I do for an encore???

Attached are the links to my SMU Graduation, I don’t know what I will do next maybe medical school, or climb Mt. Everest.......

http://www.smu.edu/newsinfo/releases/07084.asp

http://www.smu.edu/flashvideo/?id=162

SMU Graduation

http://smu.edu/newsinfo/releases/07084.asp


Tonight is a very special evening for each of our graduates and their families and friends.

Mustangs, you have taken such unique paths in getting to this great achievement that we celebrate this evening.

However, for one of our engineering Master’s degree graduates, his path has been nothing short of miraculous.
And given the special season we find ourselves in, it seems appropriate to share his journey with all of you here to remind us of how life affirming the pursuit of knowledge can be.

Jerrold Dash is an accomplished individual. At 34 years of age, he has already attained two Masters degrees and will be granted a third tonight in systems engineering from the SMU School of Engineering.


Jerrold is currently a staff systems engineer with Lockheed martin Aeronautics and is celebrating tonight with his lovely wife Rhonda, two beautiful daughters – Reagan and Ravyn, and of course his extended family and friends.

Jerrold’s journey to this evening begins in February of 2006. It was in this month, less than two years ago, that he and his family learned that he was suffering from stage four broncho-alveoli carcinoma, a form of lung cancer that occasionally afflicts non-smokers.

What a devastating shock to everyone – you see Jerrold was the picture of health, an active fit non-smoker who was a gifted scholarship football player in college. Simply put, no one saw this coming.

Yet, this terrible diagnosis did not stop Jerrold – against the odds and struggling to deal with the constant miserable chemotherapy, Jerrold continued to work on his degree and to move forward with his life.
Jerrold went on the transplant list for a bilateral lung transplant at Stanford Medical School, one of the few places in the world that would attempt such a complex surgery. He moved to the bay area awaiting the call that could save his life – and this too did not stop Jerrold from pursuing his degree. In fact, during the course of his illness, Jerrold said “If I could work, take classes, exercise and receive the support of my family, I would be dead emotionally. The idle time would kill me as I would just be going through the motions of living.”

And then he got the call that a pair of lungs was found.

So tonight, breathing the fresh cool air of December, Jerrold and his family celebrate the gift of life and the passion for learning.

Against immeasurable odds, no because of immeasurable odds - Jerrold, you are an inspiration to all of us and a reminder of the sacrifices we have all made in our lives in the pursuit of knowledge.


Geoffery Orsak, Ph D. Dean of the SMU School of Engineering

Turkey Day 2007

Ate well fried a turkey, enjoyed the family only to get hospitalized the next day 11/23/07 (5 five day of isolation on what I consider the worst floor in the hospital). It seems the RSV virus has shown its ugly head.

Flashback on last Halloween

It seems like yesterday I was out in California living the single life and waiting for the transplant call to come in. This time last year I was very nervous and sick to my stomach as we (the doctors and I ) feared the cancer had spread outside of my lungs. Our fears caused me to have to get several CT scan at the hospital on Halloween night (which is right beside the emergency room). Do you know what type of THINGS you can see in/around the emergency room on Halloween night.

Luckily the cancer had not spread so it was back to waiting for the eventual call that would come on March 5, 2007.

At long last an update also I ain't dead :-)

Hello all I have not retired or expired I just have a hard time finding the time to explore my artistic talents (i.e. keep my blog site up to date). I hope as things settle down I can get back to populating the blog more often.

What has been going on the last several months: RECAP (the cliff notes version?)

In and out of the hospital a few times

Recovering, trying to work but I feel people don’t really appreciate the serious and delicate balance involved with trying to recover and get back to normal after a bi-lateral lung transplant; IT AIN’T EASY….

Finished my course work at SMU

Gave a few speeches to try and raise awareness about lung cancer, dispelling myths about the causes / cures, and the need for funding and support.

I am back

Haven't posted in some time, as I have not had anything major to report; I am still recovering seeing too many doctors each week and often very tired from all the medication.

My church home in Fort Worth, TX is holding a benefit to help with medical cost this Sunday.
www.espbc.com


Follow the link below to a TV news show I was a part of speaking about organ donation.

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=A7DE0CAA9AEC9C9640170C94057F96D4?contentId=181347&version=90&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1

Hospital again

Not much to post and being back home it is hard to find the time between doctors visits and Dora the Explorer :-)

Back to the Spa (Texas Spa) in the morn. i.e. the hospital for a few days or until I get fed up and break out like the Stanford Spa.

Video I was a part of (I'm an actor)

Use this link to get to a cancer video I was part of promoting clinical trials.

http://www.toppup.com/drive/

Back in TX

Haven't posted in awhile simply b/c I have not felt like, sorry.

I am back in TX got here Friday June 1,

Glad to be home and away from the Stanford Spa. I still have the infection in my chest and will continue home IV antibiotics.

Nervous about being home the whole adjustment process,

Free at Last Free at Last (Pseudo Free at Last)

Freedom; I am finally free from my prison (Stanford Spa) 11 days (FREED Monday Night) of sitting as a pin cushion. Still stuck in CA for several more weeks as this infection is treated with IV antibiotics in my apartment.

Note: to the public the "Free Jerrold" from the Stanford Spa campaign worked the hospital caved in :-)

Same old Song and Dance

I really have no idea when I will be getting out of this D_M hospital and am getting frustrated have gone AWOL twice now and probably will go for the hat trick soon (i.e. just put on my clothes and walked out for a couple of hours on the town) being in here since May 3 at this rate I will be hospitalized longer than I was for the transplant procedure.

Oh well back to my cell (hospital room)

Happy Mothers Day

Still in the D_M Hospital

Port was successfully removed, and a picc line was um successfully inserted to replace the port (after four painful attempts). We shall see what today brings.

Yep still here in CA (Stanford Hospital)

Yep still in my favorite place (Hospital)
making slow progress the around the clock antibiotics seem to be working but recovery from a staph infection is slow for a normal person let alone recovery for someone who just had a bi-lateral transplant less than 10 weeks ago.

Surgery today at 1000 PST to remove my port-o-cath should be routine and only take an hour, then I will get a temporary pic line place in my arm.

No talks on getting out of the hospital yet, my hope is to be out of here this weekend and back in TX within the next 2 weeks.

No Rick James ____ Still Hospitalized though

Had a long day and if I need blood/lab work done in the morn. I will set it off with the person trying to stick me, I guess you could say at 5AM with no sleep for days the Phlebotomist pulled the wool over my eyes as she stuck me multiple time to fill multiple blood draw tubes. In the morn or future like I have always done if I have a port and an active open IV line it WILL BE USED or I will be sending another Phlebotomist off in a huff with hurt feelings and a good tongue lashing :-) Rick James style don't take it personally blood draw workers of America.

Found out that my infection (in the chest muscle) is a staph infection so right now the plan is to treat it with antibiotics. I don't anticipate leaving in the hospital until at the earliest May 12/13 weekend time frame and we still have not even began to discuss release dates. TX plans have not been re-worked yet.

Still Hospitalized

It is Monday and I am still in the hospital with a pretty bad infection in my chest. I have now been stuck with more needles and had more biopsies than I ever wanted. Two needle sticks that I have had that really were not that bad was / were the fluid drain from my knees and the insulin shots I have to give me self in the stomach (in the grand scheme of things and after everything else they were not that bad.).

I don't have any idea when I will get back to TX now, as I am in an isolated room and have dealt with more doctors since I was admitted on Thursday of last week than I have dealt with all year (popularity stinks).

Hospitalized

Seems I couldn't get out of here without being hospitalized. I was admitted on yesterday with diabetic symptoms (probably brought on by all the medicine I take). I am hopping to be out of here today after more test (Jerrold going away party is tonight); also we are scheduled to fly back to TX Sunday morn Only time and more medication will tell.

Jerrold

LAST WeeeeK, LAST WeeeeK, "Rick James" LAST Weeeeeek !!!!!

LAST WeeeeK, a phrase I have sung since I finished playing football. Anyone that has been through the bumps and bruises of a college seasons knows the tune and the happiness that comes over you when you reach the last week of the season (enough said). This is the last week in CA "Ret-ta-Go" I think/ know I will recover better in TX as I will be on more familiar turf. Gotta run and get ready to pick up the wife at the airport so we can close out this last week and get back to TX.

Bell Lap

Time is quickly winding down for me in CA. Can't wait to get back to more familiar territory; not that CA hasn't treated me very well (along with saving my life) but I have to spread my wings and leave the safe confines of the Stanford Medical nest. Life goes on and I need some BBQ and Texas sports radio. May 6 looks like the day I will be touching down in Texas to bring closure to the journey I will be finishing.

Signs that I have been here far too long....

I think I have been here far too long, I can't take the Fif anymore some of my observations....

1. You have a very strong opinion about where your coffee beans are grown, and you can taste the difference between Sumatran and Ethiopian.
2. You can't remember . . . is pot illegal?
3. A really great parking space can totally move you to tears.
4. Gas costs $1.00 per gallon more than anywhere else in the U.S.
5. Unlike back home, the guy at 8:30 am at Starbucks wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses who looks like George Clooney really IS George Clooney.
6. Your car insurance costs as much as your house payment.
7. You can't remember . . .is pot illegal?
8. It's barely sprinkling rain and there's a report on every news station: "STORM WATCH."
9. You pass an elementary school playground and the children are all busy with their cells or pagers.
10. It's barely sprinkling rain outside, so you leave for work an hour early to avoid all the weather-related accidents.
11. HEY!!!! Is pot illegal????18. Both you AND your dog have therapists, psychics, personal trainers and cosmetic surgeons.
12. The Terminator is your governor.

The Stars at night shine big and bright (clap clap clap) deep in the heart of Texas ......

Virus on the loose

It seems that a few of the heart and lung transplant patients that were transplanted around the same time as my procedure are catching RSV an airborne virus that is basically not good for people/patients in our compromised, weakened health conditions. I am really living like a hermit right now restricting my access to the other people in the apartment complex, and not even speaking with the sick ones on the telephone or e-mail either for that matter :-) e-mail gets viruses too. If I get this virus then it would be a 4/5 day vacation for me at the hospital in an isolated room get heavy antibiotic IV drips; all this helps to keep your system from going into rejection of the transplanted organ.